Healthy Heart and Mind

In light of last week’s Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, followed by a week of sadness, fear and hundreds of stories of those in our town affected personally, I was pulled to write about ways to find our healthy balance.

Living only a few miles from the start of the world's oldest annual marathon, it becomes a  bit of a 'holiday' tradition in Milford and surrounding towns. Very few people don't take time to stand somewhere on the route, or to cheer on a friend or relative who has qualified or as a renegade runs the race. This year we stood at mile 3 for 2.5 hours. We gave out oranges, lost our voices and our hands got sore from clapping for complete strangers.

Each year we go, I am overwhelmed by the number of people who make the commitment to raise money for hundreds of fundraising groups. People of all ages and cultures pound out hundreds of miles, for thousands of hours, often losing sleep to train while encountering injuries and sore muscles to benefit their chosen organization.

In the last week I have heard so many stories of those in our town directly affected by these bombings. Either they were there, knew someone who was, knew someone who's hurt or treated someone at Milford Regional Medical Center. It’s tough to watch these things from anywhere in the world, but to hear stories of terror and torture from those in our town changes lives forever.

I read an article last week about the Boston Marathon (written before Monday). It talked about it being the "Holy Grail" of Marathons, spoke of the crowds and spirit like no other marathon, described of all the facets found only with Boston's marathon. Many of us have read the Patch pre-marathon highlight stories. Having been there so many years, having run mile 0 to mile 7 and having a husband, brother, cousins and uncles and many friends and patients who have run this, what I read is what I've experienced and heard from so many.

Thousands of athletes were forced to stop running. More than 260 people were hurt. Four innocent people were killed.

It is common knowledge that stress and fear interrupt health. Stress can cause insomnia, depression, rise in blood pressure and glucose levels. Stress often leads to increased ‘stress eating’ and increased alcohol consumption. Many people with stress admit a lack of motivation to complete tasks or exercise. Whether it be last week’s bombings or the horrific scenes of : How do we shift these unhealthy post-tragedy feelings for a healthier tomorrow?

Consider giving to a charity

o   Runner charities  

o   OneFund

o   Martin family

o   Lui Lingzi’s Scholarship fund

o   Krystle Campbell Memorial fund

Order shirts and sweatshirts to show support and raise money for those affected 

Donate directly to those recovering from losing limbs. (This list is limited by access of information and space for article, if you know of other direct injury sites please add them in the comments)

§  Celeste & Sydney Corcoran  http://www.gofundme.com/celesteandsydney

§  Officer Richard Donohue http://woburn.patch.com/articles/mbta-police-create-website-for-injured-...

§  Jeff Bauman http://www.gofundme.com/BucksforBauman

§  White Family http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-the-white-family-recover-from-the-boston-marathon-explosions/53637

§  Paul & JP Norden (and friend Jackie) http://www.gofundme.com/2mwd0c

§  Adrianne Haslet (dancer who lost her foot) http://www.gofundme.com/AdrianneFund

§  Heather Abbott http://www.gofundme.com/HeatherAbbott

§  Roseann Sdoia http://www.gofundme.com/roseann

§  Norden Brothers http://wakefield.patch.com/articles/account-created-for-brothers-who-eac...

§  Natalie Stewart http://www.gofundme.com/helpnat

§  Pat & Jessica Downes (newlyweds who each had leg amputations from injuries) https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/ygf1/helpforpatandjess

§  Eric & Ann Whalley https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/yy72/whalleyrecoveryfund

§  Brittany Loring https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/f582/recoveryforbrittany

§  Michelle Heureux https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/g482/michellelheureuxbostonbombingvictommedicalfund

Write letters

o   Healing thoughts for those affected

o   Thank a police officer or donate for coffee and food

• Attend a community memorial such as the one planned for Milford on May 15  

• Sign up for the 26.2 Boston Strong race

• Plant a garden or tree to remember and give life back to our Earth (especially with Earth Day and Arbor Day this week)

• Create a list of “260+ Acts of Kindness” one for each person hurt – as simple as paying for someone else’s coffee, mowing a lawn, to letting someone go in front of you at the grocery store 

• Go for a walk & listen to healing music (this might be Mozart for some or Pearl Jam for others!)

• Meditation, Reiki, Acupuncture, Karate, Yoga are all great ways to release unhealthy thoughts and feelings

Donate Blood: thanks to the generous donations of runners and spectators immediately following the marathon bombings, the supply of blood is sufficient for the next several days. But blood donations will be needed soon. This link provides a tool that allows readers to find American Red Cross donation events near them.

Most of us are incredibly blessed to not be physically injured and immensely grateful to see so much outpouring of emotional and financial support. Terrorism is meant to disrupt, scare and dismantle humankind. Decide to stop letting those who intend to interfere with our happiness win. Decide how your body will heal, initiate the choices today that resonate with healing and get your healthy back.